The Leesville Wampus Cats have one of the top running backs in the state, but they don’t want just one big playmaker. They want them all over the field and on both sides of the line.

“What we are going to ask is just to play within the system,” Leesville head coach Robert Causey said. “Nothing more and nothing less. We look to be more balanced.

“I think every offensive system, no matter what you are, you want to run the ball when you want to and throw the ball when you want to. You don’t want defenses to dictate your tempo and what choices you call on offense. That is what we are looking for this year — controlling the line of scrimmage and that gives you the ability to have a lot more flexibility in what you do and how you attack. On both sides of the ball we are looking to find who our playmakers are. I think at any level, you can’t ride just one guy. Eventually, it is going catch you. You can go as far as you can, but the more weapons you have on either side of the ball increases your chances for success.”

Junior running back Xavier Ford has put on more weight to his 5-foot-11 frame after running for 2,581 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading the Wampus Cats to the quarterfinals. And the extra muscle hasn’t diminished his explosive running style.

“He has put on 15 to 20 pounds,” Causey said. “I wish I could lose it as fast as he gained it. He is the type of kid that it is not going to affect him. If I put on 20 pounds, I ain’t running fast. A kid like him, he is an athlete. It does not affect him. It all balances out.”

The Wampus Cats have some holes to fill after losing 10 first or second team all-district players.

Senior all-district wide receiver Izaiah Farley gives the offense deep threat, while junior Andrew Lewis is the only returner on the offensive line.

Four return on the defense in defensive tackle Deandre Heron, linebacker Ty England and defensive backs Evan Combs and Jeremiah Lee.

“The kids know the scheme,” Causey said. “We have holes that we have to cover and weaknesses that we have to overcome.

“What I like about it is the intensity that they play at and the knowledge of what we are asking them to do. They understand the defensive scheme. We have some kids that played some last year. We are only returning four out of 11, but some of those guys got playing time last year. A lot of them are first-year seniors getting to start. They want their time to shine.”